Aged Pines
In East Asian cultures, pine trees are venerated as symbols of longevity and virtue. In both screens on display here, two giant pines, each set against a smoothly gilded background, lean markedly to the left, but the composition is balanced by the branches, which reach toward one another. Flamboyant brushstrokes of coal-black ink define the hefty trunks and spiky needles, resulting in a sense of powerful monumentality. Together with his father, Suzuki Hyakunen, Shonen was one of the leading painters active in Kyoto during the Meiji period. After the country became more open to the West in the second half of the nineteenth century, they made efforts to preserve the subjects and style of traditional Japanese painting.
Artwork Details
- 鈴木松年筆 老松図屏風
- Title: Aged Pines
- Artist: Suzuki Shōnen (Japanese, 1849–1918)
- Period: Meiji period (1868–1912)
- Date: late 19th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Pair of six-panel folding screens; ink on gold-leaf
- Dimensions: Image (each): 68 1/16 in. x 12 ft. 1 3/16 in. (172.9 x 368.8 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Purchase, The B. D. G. Leviton Foundation Gift, 2003
- Object Number: 2003.317.1, .2
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Suzuki Shōnen
1892
Suzuki Shōnen
Sakai Ōho
ca. 1839
Chōbunsai Eishi
early 19th century
Shibata Zeshin
mid-19th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.